One Tip Wednesday: My Favorite Accessory 12 Ways

Back in 1995, my then-husband of 12 years came home one day and announced he was leaving. Like forever. (Insert horribly heartbroken year here.) At the end of that extremely sad year, I decided I needed to go on an adventure that was bigger than me. Bigger than my sorrow. Something so big and all-consuming that it would push me forward into a new life.

I decided to backpack through South Africa. Alone.

The experience was incredible and intense and scary and beautiful and everything I wanted. I wish we were all sitting around together having coffee so you could lean in and I could tell you all the intimate details. For now, I’d like to tell you about a little accessory I carried with me to African that turned out to be ever so handy then…. and made an even more handy re-entry into one of my future lives as a trail runner.

The bandana!

The exact bandana, in fact. I took a brown and blue paisley-patterned bandana through South Africa’s sand and safari and used it for countless things, including an accessory to “dress up” the collar of the only nice shirt I brought.

Fast forward 20 years and I wrapped that same bandana around my wrist at the start of my first 50K. I’ve used it 6 ways from Sunday, but I’m going to give you 12.

the TIP: My favorite accessory 12 ways: the bandana

First of all, while this is a great tip for trail runners, road runners can obviously use a bandana in many ways, too. There’s just more opportunities to be more “Mcgyver” with it out on the trails.

THE SET UP: To start, take an ordinary bandana–nothing fancy–and fold it corner to corner to make a triangle. Then simply roll it up until it’s a long band and tie it around your wrist. Here’s a dozen ways to use my favorite running accessory:

Leave it on your wrist for an excellent summer day sweatband.

Pony tail rubber band snap? Use it for a scrunchie.

Take a tumble or get caught in a blackberry bramble? You’ve got a band aid or a wound cleaner.

Chilly morning? It’s a scarf.

Hot, exposed trail? Soak it in the creek or water from your pack and wrap it around your neck to stay cool. (I put snow in mine once on a mountain trail. The BEST.)

Need a place to stash a Gu or gel on a short run? Roll one up in your bandana and wrap around your wrist.

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About Me

I love running. I just do. I love the feeling of being an athlete. I love
hills. I love to run & race long distances. I also LOVE my running friends. It's a
bond like no other I have found. Second only to running gorgeous trails, I
love taking people on trail runs. Your sweaty sweet smiles fill me to the
brim. I can't take all of you with me, but I can be your virtual trail
guide. Join me!
~Laura McClain, runner momma